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Getting from Sofia Airport to City Centre

Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, is a modern multicultural city, with deep roots in history. With a growing food scene, museums, art galleries, impressive architecture and an underground music scene, it’s a budget friendly destination for all ages.




There are three transport options from Sofia Airport (SOF) to the city centre of Sofia. You can choose between a Sofia airport taxi, metro or public bus. A taxi ride to the city centre of Sofia is approximately €9 (BGN17.6) and the journey duration is 25 minutes on average. You can also opt for the metro to the city centre of Sofia; just take metro line M2 to Serdika. A single metro ticket costs €0.8(BGN1.6) and it will take 26 minutes to reach the city centre. If you prefer to travel by bus, there are two buses leaving the airport with direction to Sofia city. Buses 84 and 184 follow the same route and run every 30 minutes on average.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Sofia at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups €19 25min 24/7
Taxi €9 25min 24/7
Metro €1.6 26min 05:00–00:00
Bus €1.6 40min 05:40–23:36

How to get from Sofia Airport to city centre by taxi

Taking a taxi from Sofia airport to the city centre of Sofia is quite an affordable transport option. The airport authority cooperates with and recommends the operator OK Supertrans AD. To secure a ride, approach the airport taxi desks located at the Arrivals Hall or use one of the automatic machines to get a slip. Follow the signs to Taxis and pay the final fare when you reach your destination.

Taxi fare from Sofia Airport to city centre

Sofia Airport taxis are metered. The taxi fare from Sofia Airport to the city centre of Sofia, when 4 passengers travel, is approximately €7-10(BGN15-20) depending on whether you’re travelling during the day or night and whether there is more traffic than usual. There’s also a call-out charge of €0.3(BGN0.7) which is added to the final fare.

Taxi prices
Day time
(05:00–24:00)
Night time
(00:00–05:00)
Duration
FROM SOF TO CITY CENTRE
€8
€10
25
FROM SOF TO HOTELS IN CITY CENTRE
€8
€10
25
FROM SOF TO BANSKO
€80
€90
140
FROM SOF TO BOROVEC
€50
€55
80
Cost

€9

Trip Duration

25 Min.

*If you travel at night there is a small night ride surcharge of €0.05(BGN0.1) per kilometre.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Taxis at Sofia Airport are available 24/7

Where do I get it from?

Taxis are located at both Sofia Airport terminals. To get a taxi, approach the company desks in the Arrivals Hall of Terminals 1 and 2 and arrange a taxi ride. Collect your slip and head to the taxi ranks following the yellow markings on the floor. Once you’re at the taxi ranks, board a vehicle showing the driver your slip and they will take you to your destination.

Convenience

Choosing a taxi for your transportation from Sofia airport to the city centre, is the most convenient transport option, as taxis are available 24/7. There are official taxi desks inside the terminals, where employees will assist you with your ride. In case something goes wrong with your ride, you can refer back to the slip collected at the counters to ask for assistance.

Editor’s Note

Avoid using non-authorised taxi drivers and operators at Sofia Airport, as there have been cases of fraud and abuse. It is better to travel with an official provider to protect your rights.

Useful Tips

OK Supertrans AD offers taxi ride packages that may be of interest to you. You can choose to book an hourly taxi service and have a driver take you around the city to visit the attractions, picking you up afterwards. Ask at the airport counters for more information.
Keep the taxi ride slip until after you have arrived at your destination to make sure the driver follows your instructions and charges you fairly.

How to get from Sofia Airport to city centre by metro

Taking metro line M2 from Sofia Airport is a fast and affordable option. To reach Sofia city centre you need to walk to Sofia Airport Metro Station, which is located close to Terminal 2. Metro trains leave the station approximately every 15 minutes and the journey duration to city centre station Serdika is 26 minutes. A single ticket costs €0.8(BGN1.6) and the metro network operates from 00:05 to midnight daily.

How much is the metro ticket from Sofia Airport to the city centre of Sofia?

A single metro ticket from Sofia Airport costs €0.8(BGN1.6). You can buy a ticket from the cashier desks and the automatic ticket machines at the Airport Metro Station.

Cost

€0.8

Trip Duration

26 Min.

*If you want to change to the metro line M1 after using M2, you can do so with same ticket.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The metro network operates 00:05-00:00 daily and trains pass by Sofia Airport Metro Station roughly every 15 minutes.

Where do I get it from?

The Sofia Airport Metro Station is located close to T2 of the airport. If you land at Terminal 2, you can simply walk to the metro station. If you land at Terminal 1, there is a free terminal transfer service you can use, leaving every 30 minutes from T1 to T2 between 7am-7pm. If you land at Sofia Airport Terminal 1 outside of these hours, you can still request a free of charge terminal transfer service at the Information Desk.

Convenience

Using the metro network for your transport to Sofia city centre from the airport of Sofia is a quite convenient transport option especially if your final destination is located at a walking distance from the Serdika metro station in the city centre. Alternatively, you will have to change metro lines using the same ticket or take a taxi or bus to your final Sofia city centre destination.

Editor’s Note

Remember to check your exact city centre destination before boarding the Sofia Metro network. Serdika station is one of the most central stations in downtown Sofia, but you may need to get off at a different stop.

Useful Tips

There are several metro ticket options available if you wish to use the Sofia metro more than once. You may want to consider the 1-day or 3-day ticket.
The ticket should be validated at the barriers at the entrance to the metro station where you enter the network.

How to get from Sofia Airport to city centre by bus

There are two buses from Sofia Airport to the city centre of Sofia: 84 and 184. Both buses follow the same route to the city centre, where you need to get off the bus at General Gurko Street next to Knyazheska Garden. The journey duration is 40 minutes and buses leave the airport daily, every 30 minutes on average, passing by both terminals.

How much is the bus ticket from Sofia Airport to the city centre of Sofia?

A single bus ticket to the city centre of Sofia costs €0.8(BGN1.6) for either bus. You can purchase a bus ticket from kiosks and machines at Sofia Airport Arrivals Hall. There’s also an Urban Mobility Centre in Terminal 2, where you can purchase tickets and ask for help.

Cost

€0.8

Trip Duration

40 Min.

*Traffic conditions can significantly alter the duration of the journey to Sofia city centre.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Buses 84 and 184 leave the airport every 30 minutes on average. Bus 84 operates 05:40 - 23.36 and bus 184 operates 04:50 - 23.17.

Where do I get it from?

Buses stop at both Sofia Airport terminals, right outside the Arrivals Hall as you exit the building. You can request more information at the kiosks.

Convenience

Travelling by bus from Sofia airport to the city centre of Sofia is not the most convenient option. There is no late-night service and passengers are only entitled to 2 pieces of luggage each due to restricted luggage space on board. The city centre stop is located a couple of kilometres away from the actual city centre of Sofia, so it is possible you will need to use another bus or a taxi from there.

Editor’s Note

Bus schedule information is only available in Bulgarian on the official Sofia transport website. Locating your bus number online will give you an indication of times and routes.

Useful Tips

Avoid using the bus if you travel as a large group or with children, since the service can get busy.
You can only purchase bus tickets using the local currency, Bulgarian lev. Although Bulgaria is part of the EU, it does not use the Euro yet.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Sofia. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

Read more Book Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

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Frequently asked questions

How much is a taxi from Sofia airport to the city centre?

A taxi from Sofia Airport to the city centre of Sofia is approximately €7-10(BGN15-20).

How far is Sofia from the Airport?

The distance between Sofia Airport and downtown Sofia is 12.2km. You can reach the city centre either by taxi, metro or public bus.

How much are taxis in Sofia?

Taxis in Sofia are metered. This means that the final fare depends on your destination, time of travel, and journey duration. A taxi ride from the airport of Sofia to the city centre of Sofia is €7-10(BGN15-20).

Does Bulgaria have Uber?

Uber does not currently operate in Bulgaria. However, you can take an official taxi at the Sofia airport, or pre-book and pre-pay your airport transfer with Welcome Pickups.

How many terminals does Sofia Airport have?

Sofia Airport has two terminals. You can travel to the city centre by taxi, and bus from T1 and taxi, bus, and metro from T2.

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